Leaders from throughout Southern California gathered in May for the 2024 Regional Conference & General Assembly. The two-day conference in Palm Desert followed adoption of the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy—the long-term plan and vision for Southern California.
In that historic context, conference attendees gathered with other local and regional leaders to collaborate on fundamental issues, such as mobility, housing and communities, the environment and the economy.
Many thanks to all who could join us and to the esteemed speakers, panelists, members partners and sponsors who contributed to the success of this event.
Highlights
Outgoing SCAG Regional Council President Brown closed out his term by sharing the “2023-24 President’s Report,” a detailed report of SCAG’s accomplishments since May 2023, which were also highlighted in the 2023-24 Year in Review video.
SCAG also welcomed the new Regional Council officers for 2024-25: Hon. Curt Hagman (County of San Bernardino), 2024-25 Regional Council president; Hon. Cindy Allen (City of Long Beach), 2024-2025 Regional Council first vice president; and Hon. Ray Marquez (City of Chino Hills), 2024-2025 Regional Council second vice president.
SCAG honored seven innovative projects across the six-county region at the 2024 Sustainability Awards ceremonies. These projects are integral to accomplishing the goals of the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy and promoting a more mobile, sustainable and prosperous region.
8 a.m. NETWORKING & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST Sponsored by HNTB Corporation
9 a.m. REGIONAL COUNCIL MEETING
10 a.m. WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS
11 a.m. GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING
12:15 p.m. SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS LUNCHEON
2:15 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS I
TRANSIT RECOVERY AND BEYOND: MEANS, METHODS AND BETTER MOUSETRAPS Sponsored by Michelin Mobility Intelligence
Transit recovery is about more than getting back to where we were. It requires improvement and adaptation, as well as new offerings, means and methods of implementation. Panelists will discuss trends in transit use, strategies to improve customer experience and attract new riders, and innovative approaches to coordinating services across a mega-region.
Moderator: Madeline Brozen, Deputy Director, Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
Panelists:
David Aguirre, Executive Director, Imperial County Transportation Commission
Gillian Gillett, Chief Data & Digital Services Division Program Manager, California Integrated Mobility, Caltrans
Zahirah Mann, President and CEO, South Los Angeles Transit Empowerment Zone
INVESTING IN ECONOMIC RESILIENCE Sponsored by Charter Communications – Spectrum
Fears of a recession have given way to cautious optimism—but what should we do with a soft landing? This panel will focus on investing in regional economic resilience by collaborating across Southern California. What practical actions can build resilience inside—and outside—local borders? Which policies capture synergies, which expose communities to economic inefficiencies, and which are better suited to state, federal or private sector action? Given challenges in housing and cost of living, how can we retain high-quality jobs and innovation in important sectors to build resilience in the region?
Moderator: Robert Kleinhenz, Principal Economist, Kleinhenz Economics
Panelists:
Dan Gober, Executive Director, LA Region, Biocom California
Jennifer McLain Hiramoto, Executive Director of Economic Development, City of Ontario
Bruce Stenslie, President and CEO, Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County
2:15 p.m. STUDENT SHOWCASE Sponsored by Morongo Band of Mission Indians
3:15 p.m. BREAK & NETWORKING
3:45 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS II
RUNNING ON EMPTY: ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES AND TRANSPORTATION FUNDING Sponsored by Clean Power Alliance
We are no longer looking forward to the coming zero emission vehicle (ZEV) transition; it is here now. The number of registered ZEVs has grown every year in California, contributing to an uncertain future of declining gas tax revenues. In looking for alternative funding sources, vehicle miles traveled fees can assign road users a fair share of the cost to fund the transportation system. This panel will discuss how the move away from gasoline-powered transportation will require new thinking about how to sustainably fund a holistic transportation system while meeting environmental and equity objectives. This panel will also highlight how stakeholders can work collaboratively to support an integrated approach to the ZEV transition that can improve transportation outcomes.
Moderator: Bill Higgins, Executive Director, California Association of Councils of Governments
Panelists:
Stephen Collins, Senior Manager for Strategic Planning, Southern California Edison
Stephen Finnegan, Group Manager, Public and Government Affairs, Automobile Club of Southern California
Lauren Prehoda, Road Charge Program Manager, Caltrans
Samantha Soules, NorCal Practice Leader, Tolling/ITS/Emerging Mobility Solutions, HNTB Corporation
CREATING COMPLETE COMMUNITIES Sponsored by Jamboree Housing
Complete communities are connected, inclusive places with diverse uses and destinations that provide societal and health benefits from proximity to neighbors, schools, services and businesses. This panel will explore how local governments can develop a “sense of place,” improve their local economy and create vibrant main streets while addressing housing production, mobility, equity and regional resilience. Panelists will also share best practices, challenges and lessons learned from a wide range of perspectives on creating complete communities.
Moderator: Al Zelinka, Director, Baker Tilly US
Panelists:
Dave Bartlett, Vice President of Land Entitlement, Brookfield Properties
Anita Gutierrez, City Manager, City of Pomona
Larry Kosmont, Chairman and CEO, Kosmont Companies
Ellen Lou, Principal, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
3:45 p.m. STUDENT SHOWCASE Sponsored by Morongo Band of Mission Indians
5:30 p.m. EVENING RECEPTION Sponsored by Ontario International Airport and Port of Long Beach
May 3 | Friday
8 a.m. REGISTRATION
8:30 a.m. BREAKFAST Sponsored by Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc.
9 a.m. WELCOME
9:10 a.m. STUDENT SHOWCASE AWARDS
9:30 a.m. KEYNOTE ADDRESS
SARITA MAYBIN
International Speaker, Communications Expert and Author
10 a.m. PLENARY PANEL SESSION
THRIVING REGIONS: HOW PLANNING TOGETHER ENABLES LOCAL SUCCESSES Sponsored by Athens Services
Metropolitan planning organization leaders from across the nation will share insights about how regional planning advances priorities and solves problems beyond individual communities. In April 2024, SCAG’s Regional Council adopted its most recent long-range Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, Connect SoCal 2024. As the focus shifts to making Connect SoCal 2024 a reality, this panel will highlight innovative projects, effective collaborations and actionable learnings.
Moderator: Kome Ajise, Executive Director, SCAG
Panelists:
Erin Aleman, Executive Director, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
Coleen Clementson, Chief Executive Officer, San Diego Association of Governments
Andrew Fremier, Executive Director, Metropolitan Transportation Commission
11:15 a.m. CONFERENCE WRAP-UP
Keynote Speaker
Sarita Maybin
International Speaker, Communications Expert and Author
Successful collaborative partnerships depend on effective communication, especially for communities and organizations in diverse settings like Southern California. This keynote presentation will share proven communication strategies to achieve positive change while navigating challenges and obstacles.
Sarita Maybin is an international speaker and communication expert with over two decades of experience and has shared her insights in all 50 states, 10 countries, and on the prestigious TEDx stage. Her universal message has resonated with a wide range of clients, including Kaiser Permanente, National Conference of State Legislators, Department of the Navy and the University of California.
Leveraging her background as a former university dean of students with a master’s degree in counseling, Sarita shares strategies for enhanced collaboration and communication. She is also an author, having literally written the book on how to respond to the question: If You Can’t Say Something Nice, What DO You Say? Her commitment to fostering positive dialogue continues with her latest book, Say What You Mean in a Nice Way.
Challenging communications are inevitable but not impossible—Sarita Maybin is an expert at thoughtfully and honestly reaching positive conclusions.
